BlytheWESTERN BUREAU:
MORE THAN 30 persons who had applied for lots at the Luana Housing Development Project in St. Elizabeth became official land owners when they were presented with titles and certificates of possession last week.
The beneficiaries include three members of the Reggae Boyz, Wendell Downswell, Michael Graham and Desmond Smith. The housing project, which has been described by Government officials as the largest real estate project undertaken in the parish, consists of some 400 acres divided into 1,275 lots. However, only 727 lots are now ready for delivery to the beneficiaries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Housing and Water Dr. Karl Blythe, warned beneficiaries who have monies owing on the property to pay up before the December 31 deadline, or risk losing the land.
"The final day for everyone to meet their obligation is now December 31," the Minister said. "Come January 1, the lots will go on the open market in order for us to get money to pay for the programme."
Dr. Blythe insisted that the deadline for payment of the required 20 per cent deposit would not be extended, as this has already been done on several occasions.
"Those of you who have not yet paid the required 20 per cent deposit must do so as soon as possible," he said. "It is needed to keep the programme going. If you do not contribute then the programme will come to an end."
Dr. Blythe also hit back at critics of his plan for indigent housing, which allows for destitute persons to live on Government land by paying just one hundred dollars. "It was they (critics) who were saying that I was giving away land for one dollar, when all I said was if you were offered land long ago and you are an indigent, then we are not going to put you off and throw you on the street," he noted. "You will not own the land but you can live on that land for the rest of you natural life."
